Featured Image Credit: NOAA via Getty Images
Topics: Weather, Nature, World News, Twitter, Social Media
Ellie Kemp
Topics: Weather, Nature, World News, Twitter, Social Media
A pilot has flown into the eye of Storm Melissa in 'mind-blowing' new footage as the hurricane inches closer to Jamaica.
'Catastrophic' force winds are expected to hit the Caribbean island in a matter of hours as Melissa makes its approach today (Tuesday October 28).
The category five hurricane is forecast to have maximum sustained winds of around 280 kilometers an hour (175 miles per hour) as it makes landfall.
In comparison, 2015's Hurricane Patricia, the most powerful tropical cyclone on record, hit maximum sustained winds of 345 kilometers an hour (215 miles per hour) at its peak.
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The strongest hurricane on the planet this year, Melissa has been dubbed the 'storm of the century'.
The US National Hurricane Center has warned 'catastrophic flash flooding, landslides and destructive winds' will cause 'widespread infrastructure damage, power and communication outages, and isolated communities'.
"Total structural failure is possible near the path of Melissa’s center. Along the southern coast, life-threatening storm surge and damaging waves are expected through the day," an update on their website continued.
It concluded that 'failure to act' may result in 'serious injury or loss of life.'
Despite the colossal risk, one storm-chaser uploaded some incredible footage as he flew into the eye of Storm Melissa.
Going by the Twitter handle @FlynonymousWX, with the username Tropical Cowboy of Danger, the pilot made five fly-throughs on Monday (October 27).
One video shows the view of the Atlantic Ocean from the hurricane while another perspective looks down into the storm's eye with a 'swirl of clouds.'
The pilot had two decades of flying with the US Air Force and has spent the last decade on a 'hurricane hunter mission'.
Responding to the clips posted by @FlynonymousWX, one social media user said: "Genuinely the clearest video of any eye-wall I’ve ever seen."
"Hate the destruction & fear they bring, but from a pure nature standpoint, they are just mind blowing to look at."
A second weighed in: "This is totally bonkers brilliant! Thanks for sharing the video!" as a third described it as 'pure epicness'.
Back in Jamaica, three people have died so far while preparing for the storm's approach, Jamaica's minister of health said on Monday (October 27).
Chris Tufton said there had been three deaths 'linked to cutting down of trees, and in one instance electrocution because of, or due to, the cutting down of a tree.'
A further 15 people have been injured, mostly those falling from rooftops and trees in an attempt to brace for the storm's impact.
The Jamaican government imposed a mandatory evacuation order across several parts of the country as the storm nears.
While some have evacuated, others have taken refuge in state storm shelters with some staying put but bordering up their homes.
After Jamaica, Storm Melissa is forecast to move toward eastern Cuba, then the Bahamas and possibly Turks & Caicos.